5 factors for choosing the right machine and plant manufacturer
Technological progress is bringing completely new possibilities to industrial production. But it is not only the number of proceedings that has increased. Sustainability requirements and global crises are also changing the priorities of companies when selecting suitable machines and machine manufacturers. What should decision-makers look out for in production planning? An overview.
Clear criteria simplify the decision
Whether existing production is to be optimized or set up for new products – companies have to consider various aspects when choosing new machines or system manufacturers. Although costs are an important factor, they should never be the decisive factor in production planning. Digitalization has changed what production managers should look out for when making their choice in recent years.
Regardless of the specific application scenario, we have identified five factors that can help you to find the optimum process and the right manufacturer for you.
Nicolas Heck
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1. individualization
Only an individual configuration and adaptation of machines and systems ensures optimum results. Compromises usually turn out to be costly for companies. Beyond this basic requirement, however, customizability also plays an important role in the development of new sales: More and more end customers have highly specialized requirements that can only be met with appropriate systems.
Ask yourself the following questions when planning production:
- What exactly can the software or technology used do? Which customizing options are included and which adjustments can you request from the provider?
- Can your requirements be fully implemented or do you have to make compromises?
- Is it possible to customize the machine or system for you and what return on investment is realistic?
2. future viability
Industry 4.0 has gone from buzzword to everyday business life. Many productions are already smart and networked – most others will have to follow suit in the coming years in order to remain competitive.
To ensure that your investment in new machines is future-proof, check offers with regard to networking and digital maturity. Make sure that sufficient interfaces are available and that systems can be easily expanded or modernized. For example, take advantage of IoT systems to optimize the service life of machines.
- Does the manufacturer offer advice on IoT systems?
- What additional digital services can you book to minimize maintenance and servicing costs?
- Do the systems or machines use state-of-the-art technologies such as artificial intelligence or machine learning to improve efficiency and longevity?
3. the service
When machines break down and production comes to a standstill, it is a nightmare scenario for every production manager and a loss for the entire company. Regular servicing and maintenance minimize the risk of downtime and thus financial and reputational losses.
In order to keep maintenance costs as low as possible and to benefit optimally from further developments in mechanical engineering, companies should prioritize the service provided by mechanical engineers.
- How is the supplier positioned for a worst-case production stoppage? What support does it offer in day-to-day production?
- Which contact channels and which response times are guaranteed in support?
- Which (digital) services are standard or can be agreed as an option to keep production up to date?
4. resource efficiency
The requirements, regulations and targets for protecting our climate are becoming increasingly diverse and drastic. It is therefore imperative for companies to ensure sustainability and, in particular, resource efficiency in their production.
The requirements that must be met and the type of resource efficiency that makes sense in the company’s own interests can vary considerably depending on the industry and application. However, the following always applies: the economical use of resources not only makes legal and ecological sense, but also pays off economically.
- What Co² emissions can be expected?
- How resource-efficient is the use of materials – compared to alternative suppliers and processes?
- What power consumption should you expect when choosing the production setting?
5. training: employee training
The greatest potential of any company is its employees. They are also the decisive factor in determining whether a new technology or system will deliver the planned economic benefit or not.
Sufficient training and education should be an absolute must for companies to ensure that employees are not frustrated by the user guidance of new machines and systems, but that the investment is a success for the company and the team.
- How does an introduction with the manufacturer work?
- What training courses does the supplier offer?
- Can individual training sessions be arranged, even in-house?
Conclusion: Create clarity with the right questions
The pace of innovation in mechanical and plant engineering is high. New suppliers enter the market, traditional manufacturers disappear. This does not make it any easier for companies to evaluate potential suppliers. It is therefore helpful to be guided by clear criteria and to prioritize them.
The five factors listed are not intended as a complete list, but as a starting point. We would like to encourage you to become aware of your own criteria, to take up our impulses and to search for manufacturers with even better questions in the future.
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